News Summary
Prestwick Country Club has been recognized as the 2025 Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course of the Year, highlighting its exceptional course design and significant community contributions. With a challenging layout designed by the renowned Dye duo and a commitment to public access and local initiatives, Prestwick continues to attract golf enthusiasts. While acknowledging the closure of River Oaks Golf Club and the success of recent tournaments, the Myrtle Beach golf community remains vibrant and dedicated to the sport.
Prestwick Country Club Scores Big as Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course of the Year 2025
Exciting news for all golf enthusiasts in Myrtle Beach! The Prestwick Country Club has just been crowned the 2025 Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course of the Year, thanks to the Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course Owners Association (MBAGCOA). This beloved course is cherished not just for its stunning layout and well-kept greens but also for its significant community contributions.
Tee Off at Prestwick
Designed by the iconic duo Pete Dye and P.B. Dye, Prestwick boasts a rigorous 7,086-yard course that presents a challenge even to seasoned players. With features like TifEagle ultradwarf Bermudagrass greens, dramatic mounding, and deep-faced bunkers, every round at Prestwick is an adventure. Even the management team, led by general manager Jay Smith and superintendent Paul Kaufman, is well-acquainted with the course, each having over 25 years of experience!
In 2016, Prestwick made a significant switch from being a private club to a fully public course, allowing more golf lovers to experience its beauty and challenges. Since then, the management has taken it a step further, continuously implementing impressive capital improvements. They’ve renovated several holes, added new bulkheads, expanded tee boxes, and even rebuilt bunkers to keep the course in tip-top shape.
More Than Just a Golf Course
What truly sets Prestwick apart is its heartwarming commitment to the community. The course frequently hosts events for the Horry County Special Olympics Golf Team, even helping them get to competitions by funding their travel. They are also actively involved in junior golf programs, as well as initiatives like PGA HOPE and Project Golf, aimed at supporting veterans and newcomers to the sport. It’s not just about the swing; it’s about making a difference!
Recognizing Excellence: Scott Taylor Honored
In other news, Scott Taylor from River Oaks Golf Club has been awarded Employee of the Year by the MBAGCOA. With over 30 years of experience in the golf industry, including 16 years as the general manager at River Oaks, his hard work and dedication have certainly not gone unnoticed. However, it’s a bittersweet achievement as River Oaks Golf Club is set to close on October 31, 2023, paving the way for residential development.
What’s Happening at River Oaks?
River Oaks has a rich history as a 27-hole facility with three distinct courses: Bear, Fox, and Otter. However, the Bear course was sold in 2021, and now the remaining courses are making way for approximately 590 housing units, transforming the landscape of the local community. Though it’s a time for change, River Oaks will surely be missed by those who loved spending their weekends there.
Tournaments and Celebrations!
Despite the closure of River Oaks, the golfing spirit is alive and kicking! The recent National Father-Son Invitational saw brothers John and Jeffrey Long celebrate yet another victory, winning their fourth consecutive title in the Super Senior Division with an impressive score of 8-under 268. What a remarkable feat!
A Family Affair on the Greens
Additionally, this year’s Family Golf Week was a huge success, taking place across eight Grand Strand layouts. With over 400 teams from 40 different states competing, the event brought families together for a fantastic week of golf in various formats, culminating in the highly anticipated Father & Son Team Classic. Some notable past winners, including the talented Tom Kite Jr., add to the competition’s prestige.
As the Myrtle Beach golf community navigates these changes, one thing is certain: the love for the game and the dedication to each other’s well-being remains a strong thread uniting golfers and enthusiasts alike!
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Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
